Nissan has its Juke, Honda has its HR-V, Mazda has its CX-3, and now Toyota has its C-HR. The subcompact crossover segment is larger than ever, and Toyota, one of the world’s largest automakers, has arrived fashionably late. At the 2018 Toyota C-HR’s L.A. auto show debut, we got a closer look at what could be Toyota’s next hot seller among younger buyers.
Standing for Coupe-High Rider, the C-HR takes after the popular trend of “coupifiying” crossovers by using narrower windows, low-slung rooflines, highly raked rear glass, blacked-out B-pillars, and high beltlines to name a few styling cues.
Automakers have had success with this form-over-function philosophy as we have seen with the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, BMW X6, and Range Rover Evoque. Now, Toyota is following the Nissan Juke’s lead and bringing this trend to budget crossovers. As we learned from the C-HR’s project director in our First Drive of the European hybrid model, most compact crossover owners only ride with one other person, making the need for rear seat room less of a priority for these vehicles.
Toyota stylized the C-HR to be unique, sexy, muscular, and edgy; the crossover knows it’s a latecomer and wants to stand out from the crowd. The “Diamond”-themed styling takes aim at professional millennials who are active and enjoy the latest in technology and trendsetting. The slim headlights wrap deep into the crossover’s toned shoulders almost to the front quarter panel, giving it a wider and more aggressive look. Deep, curvaceous lines run from the Toyota badge on the grille, then along the sides below the windows and continue above the rear wheel and taper into the high beltline and very thick C-pillar. Prominent wheel arches house the extra-large standard 18-inch wheels, increasing the girth of this small four-door. The C-HR’s rear tapers in and features distinctive lines, 3D taillights, and a double spoiler on the hatch giving it a futuristic look.
Styling was not the only aim for the C-HR — Toyota promises it will deliver thrilling driving dynamics with impressive comfort. Built on the adaptable Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the C-HR takes full advantage of the platform’s inherent low center of gravity, and high-strength, lightweight construction. After years of developing the C-HR’s driving performance on challenging roads and tracks, Toyota increased structural rigidity by adding additional spot welds, gussets, braces, and adhesive on specific areas, resulting in improved handling. The front comes equipped with Sachs dampers and a large front stabilizer bar while the rear has a new double-wishbone suspension with Sachs shocks and upper urethane supports. This design not only aids in increased agility, according to Toyota, but passenger comfort and cabin quietness as well. The driver-centric interior resembles the layout of many sports cars, thanks to the wish of project director Hiro Koba.
Toyota equipped the C-HR with a 144-hp 2.0-liter inline-four engine mated to a redesigned continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is said to improve acceleration and fuel economy while reducing cabin noise. In Sport mode, the CVT simulates a traditional seven-speed automatic, shifts through the simulated gears faster, and keeps the engine at higher speeds for enhanced acceleration. The driver can also choose to shift through the seven simulated gears at will by pushing the gearshift lever to the left.
We’ll found out if Toyota’s efforts to imbue the C-HR with sportiness and style pay off when we drive the U.S.-spec model ahead of its arrival in spring 2017.
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